Is Sustainable Living Only for the Wealthy?

There are certain parts of sustainable living that feel out of reach for most people. But you don’t need to install solar panels, purchase an electric vehicle or buy expensive organic food to live a more sustainable life. Instead, focus on the small, more affordable steps that you can take every day to make a difference.

Read on for some budget-friendly ways you can incorporate more sustainable practices into your daily life. Not only will these habits help you live more lightly on the planet, but you could also save money along the way.

Recycle and reuse items

Recycling and reusing items is a great way to cut down on plastic use in your home, which goes a long way toward supporting the planet. Consider the following:

●      Buy reusable storage containers or wash and reuse glass jars in place of plastic. Using reusable containers and food wraps, like beeswax wrap, is a good way to store your food sustainably and pack it for on-the-go snacks and meals.

●      Keep reusable shopping bags in your car or purse when you’re shopping. 

●      Try a reusable mug and water bottle so that you can make coffee to go at home and stay hydrated without buying plastic water bottles.

While there may be some upfront costs as you buy these supplies, you will save money over the long run by not buying coffee at the local coffee shop and dining out for lunch every day at work. 

If your finances are a concern as you’re adopting more eco-friendly practices, you might take a close look at your budget, cut back in other areas to save money or consider a debt consolidation loan that rolls multiple debts into one loan balance with a single monthly payment.

Shop secondhand

One of the most impactful steps you can take to be more sustainable is to avoid buying fast fashion when possible. Instead, look for lightly used clothes at thrift, vintage and consignment stores. Check online resale shops for clothing you’ve had on your to-buy list. Do a clothing swap with friends — this is a great way to exchange clothes you don’t want to wear anymore for something new and fun.

You can also shop for secondhand accessories, art, furniture, decor, electronics, music and other home furnishings. Look for items that will last, can be fixed at a low cost or that you can give a new life with a coat of paint.

Plan ahead for groceries and meals 

A great way to reduce food waste is by planning your meals and grocery shopping ahead of time. Here are a few tips:

●      Keep a running grocery and meal list. You can add to the list throughout the week. Double-check the fridge as you go so that you don’t forget a main ingredient, buy something you already have or let produce expire in the crisper.

●      Meal prep when you can. Planning out your meals ahead of time is a helpful way to focus your grocery list for the week and find a purpose for everything you buy. For example, if you make a roast chicken and potatoes for dinner one night, see if you can repurpose the leftover chicken in a sandwich for lunch the next day and use the potatoes as a side for dinner. If you make larger portions, you can freeze them in reusable containers for meals later on in the week.

●      Buy groceries in bulk. Paper towels, toilet paper, cleaning supplies, canned goods, pantry staples and condiments are all good items to have in multiples. You might get a better deal on bulk items, and single-item packaging can be more wasteful. If it’s something you use all the time, look for a bulk option.

Sustainable living should be for everyone

Sustainable living might look incredibly expensive, and some eco-friendly options certainly require a large disposable budget. There are ways to make sustainability more approachable and manageable, however, including recycling and reusing what you have on hand, shopping secondhand when possible and planning ahead for meals and groceries.

Every small step counts. Try incorporating a few of these ideas into your daily life and see what works best for you.

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